The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-11-12
Personal ReputatiOn.

The most valued characteristic of
the ordinary human being is his rep
utation. This has always been the
case, and will continue such as long
as there is any humanity left in the
world, Shakespeare made reputation
the chief gift of mans life. He
classed it as the most sacred emblem
of manhood and he worthily asserted
that nah without an honest repu-
tation could not be an honest man.
This question of personal reputation
isa most important one, and in the
march of events it grows more i'm
'portant all the time. The American
people as a general rule are far too
careless of this question of personal
reputation. They believe to a GER
tain degree in allowing their person.
al reputation to take care of itself.
They gave it very little thought and
are content to see it diminish or in
crease, just as circumstances dictate.
But the growing need for more char.
acter in the life of the American citi-
zen is very likely in time to cast a
protecting arm around the bubble
reputation and to protect it against
the invasions of carelessness.
Those who have experienced the
pleasure of being accredited with a
good reputation would not willingly
part with the blessing for all the
wealth in the world. And many
VINO have lost their reputation
through the pursuits of careless hab-
its have gone to the grave mourning
the day when they were led away
from the pride and interest which
they once felt in the honorable name
they had made for themselves in
their community. A lost reputation
is a precious treasure never to be re
gained. A reputation lost through
carlessness is so much time and la
Dor and integrity thrown away, 1t
not infrequently requires a man the
greater portion of his life to build up
a reputation. Such men know too
we'll the value of good name in
community ever to sacrifice it. But
there are in proportion no more than
one of such to ten of those who for a
short time enjoy the graces of good
name and are foolish enough after
ward to commit it to the hands OF
carelessness, and, of course, and to
its fate. The man who has not back.
bone enough to preserve his good
name. when once he has acquired a
good name, is not entitled to any
other reputation than the very sorry
one which is too frequently attached
to him.
Young men especially will find
growing need every day that the flu
ture may bring for a careful preser'
walton of their good name in theil
community. Personal reputation is
the price of earnest labor, manly ac'
tiou, upright and honorable dealing
but even these things are not toe
much to give for a solid. substantial
unalterable reputation for honesty
sobriety and integrity. 1t is to 6
young man one half of his success il
the world and no thoroughly homes
young man can think of succeeding
until he has accomplished the making
of a good name. In some communi
ties such a task is much more diff
cult to carry out than in others. Ii
some communities there is competi
ton even in the making of a gooC
name, and besides, in almost every
instance the low, base slanderer, the
hypocrite and the libeler are to be con
| tended with and overcome. YOunl
men in the pursuit of reputation
seldom realize what obstacles ar
i,IikeIy to be thrown in their way un
til they are in the midst of the strug
gle and find it impossible to retreat
Then is the moment when they ar
liable to waver between the though
of giving up and the determination
to go ahead. The go ahead youni
man makes himself worthy of tn
highest esteem, and he will find tina
when he once wins esteem he vii
have but a short distance to go befor
he attains the much sought jewel
Reputation. After that is gained tn
struggle will have to be maintaine
70 retain it, and one half the qualit
of personal reputation is contained i
the spirit of determination which az
tuates a man who has once gained
to hold on to it through every circun
stance. Frederick Ne10S.
1t would teach some of the sent
mentalists who are clamoring for tn